There is wide agreement on the enforcement provisions - both border enforcement, as well as a significantly stepped-up mandatory worker-verification program for employers. There is also agreement on citizenship training and integration measures for new immigrants. The action has moved to the two benefits provisions - on legalization, and a huge new temporary worker program to ensure that future immigration is lawful, and not undocumented. Acting in a spirit of common sense, there is bi-partisan agreement on legalization, albeit one with triggers and touchbacks. "Triggers" signify that legalization will not go into effect until the two aforementioned enforcement provisions are in place - secure borders and a worker-verification program. "Touchbacks" would require the undocumented to "touch back" to another country before being re-admitted legally (there would be some waivers for this). So, on four of the five key points in CIR - borders, worker-verification, citizenship training, and legalization - there is wide-spread, bi-partisan agreement in the Senate.

The disagreements center on some aspects of the large new temporary worker program that is required to ensure that we do not continue to have large scale undocumented immigration in the future. The issue is not the temporary immigrant workers themselves, but their families, whether they can bring the families with them, and whether they would eventually become Americans or go back. On one side are some conservative Republicans led by Sen. Kyl who believe that immigrant workers should come, work and go back. On the other side are some liberal Democrats led by Sen. Kennedy who believe that immigrant workers should come, work and stay. The issue is are these workers our guests, in which case they should eventually leave, or are they Americans in waiting, who will eventually become permanent residents? It is certainly true that many workers from overseas may choose to voluntarily separate themselves temporarily from their spouses and minor children for the sake of earning a living. However, we believe that the weight of history is on the side of Sen. Kennedy in that many such workers will eventually become Americans, and we should so see them.

The thorniest issue is that the massive increase in legal immigration - both temporary and permanent immigration will be more than doubled by CIR - requires a fundamental tenet of our post-1965 immigration regime to be re-engineered. Our legal immigration system over the past four decades is largely a family immigration system, with employment immigration a mere afterthought. This myopia in our law is a critical reason why we have a large undocumented population who have had no legal way of coming here or staying here lawfully. CIR seeks to redefine our immigration law to have greater balance between family and employment immigration - say 50-50. This means that even with the great increases to come in employment immigration through CIR, cuts in family immigration must be made, and entire categories will likely be eliminated.

Our view on this is simple - a proper immigration system for America must hold the biological family - spouses and minor children - sacrosanct. Either admit the whole biological family in, or don't admit anyone from the family at all. Thus, we are opposed to the very concept of the FB2A category and the V visas, which cruelly separate the basic unit of the human species. These inhuman categories must be abolished and the biological family members must be admitted at the same time as the principal entrant. On the other hand, we are not sympathetic to the idea of extended families being accomodated at the same level as biological families and support the abolition or dimunition of as many other categories (especially FB4) or re-definitions (especially excluding parents from the Immediate Relative class) as are necessary to achieve balance and realism in our immigration laws. Family immigration, long the corner-stone of our immigration policy, and responsible in no small part for our undocumented problem today, must share equally in the future with employment immigration. Continuing with an unbalanced immigration policy heavily weighted toward family immigration ensures a repeat of the failure of our laws in the future.

Action on the Hill continues at a pace designed to ensure an Act, repeat an Act, this summer. Many, many twists and turns lie ahead. There will surely be disagreements aplenty. The active support of the immigration bar and the immigrant community in sustained activism and lobbying both Congress and their fellow Americans will be absolutely necessary in the coming weeks and months to get CIR enacted in less than 90 days from today. Lets go full steam ahead.

We welcome readers to share their opinion and ideas with us by writing to editor@ilw.com.

DHS Announces US-VISIT Changes
DHS issued a press release saying "Effective May 6, 2007, international visitors are no longer required to check out at a US-VISIT exit kiosk when they leave the United States." The press release further stated "DHS has determined that US-VISIT air exit procedures should be incorporated into the existing international visitor departure process to minimize the effect on visitors and to ensure seamless biometric collection regardless of the visitor’s departure point."

Help Wanted: Immigration AttorneySolo Practitioner in Springfield, NJ with diverse practice is looking for a NJ licensed Associate fluent in Russian language. Immigration practice experience is a plus. Good benefit package. Salary commensurate with experience. E-mail resume to Isabella Mayzel, Esq. at Bella@advokatBella.com

Help Wanted: Immigration AttorneyRobert W. Yarra, A Professional Law Corporation, Fresno, CA, has an immediate opening for a licensed associate attorney bilingual in English and Spanish. The ideal candidate will have 3 plus years experience in all areas of immigration law, including Removal/Deportation Defense, Family and Business Immigration Law. In addition to courtroom experience, excellent writing skills are required, as this position includes appellate work. Recent law school grads with a demonstrated interest in immigration law also considered. We offer a competitive salary, our benefits package includes 401(k), medical, dental and vision plans. Expedited partnership track considered. Fresno is centrally located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, close to Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks. Housing is affordable, cost of living adds to a great community for raising a family. Please mail resume and writing samples to: Office Manager, 1250 Fulton Mall, Suite 202, Fresno, CA 93721 or e-mail Robert W. Yarra at: info@RWYarra.com.

Help Wanted: Immigration Attorneys
Memphis, TN - National immigration law firm Siskind Susser Bland, P.C., a cutting edge, entrepreneurial practice representing many of the world’s best known companies and individuals, is seeking motivated, experienced employment immigration lawyers in its headquarters office. We are hiring mid-level associates (two to five years experience) as well as senior attorneys (five+ years experience). Candidates should possess outstanding academic credentials and writing skills. Excellent benefits and salary commensurate with experience. Interested candidates should send resumes to gsiskind@visalaw.com.

Help Wanted: Immigration Paralegals
Chicago, IL - Laner Muchin, one of the nation's oldest labor law firms, has two full time paralegal openings: (1) experienced US immigration paralegal and (1) entry-level global immigration paralegal. Our paralegals have the opportunity to contribute to a growing immigration practice and do challenging work. The ideal experienced US paralegal candidate must have 1+ years of substantial experience in a wide variety of US employment-based immigration processes. Also, an entry-level opportunity is available for global immigration paralegal to manage non-US visa case matters. Mandarin fluency required for this position. For both positions, successful candidates must be highly motivated, detailed-oriented and have outstanding communication, case management, computer and people skills. College degree required. Competitive compensation package + excellent benefits offered. E-mail cover letter + resume to immigration@lanermuchin.com, specifying either the experienced paralegal or entry global paralegal position. We are an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Help Wanted: Immigration Attorney
Dupont Circle, Washington D.C. - Maggio & Kattar, a nationally recognized, full-service immigration law firm seeks an experienced and exceptionally capable business immigration attorney to join our dynamic and fun-to work at firm. All
inquiries will be kept confidential. Send resumes to the attention of Jim
Alexander at: jobs@maggio-kattar.com.

Help Wanted: Immigration Attorney
Laguna Niguel, CA - USCIS Office of the Chief Counsel seeks experienced attorney
for the position of Western Regional Counsel. Directly oversee and supervise the
performance of the eight (8) associate regional counsel located throughout
the Western Region along with the deputy western regional counsel. Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least five (5) years of post J.D. experience.
They must submit a cover letter that demonstrates the specific skills,
experience, and interests that qualify them for the position. Preference is
given to applicants with immigration experience, management experience,
excellent academic record, and strong writing skills. For detailed information, type CIS-COU-2007-0003 in the keyword search here. The applicant should
list references, which may be verified, but letters of recommendation are
not necessary. Applicants must also submit a resume and a writing sample not
to exceed 10 pages. Submissions can be either e-mailed (all attached documents must be in MS
Word or Adobe PDF format) to Stephen.Bell@dhs.gov. All submissions must be received by close of business on Friday, May 11, 2007. The position is at the GS-15 level and is open until filled. No relocation expenses.

Help Wanted: Immigration Paralegal
NYC mid-town office of upstate NYS firm seeks experienced immigration paralegal with 2 years experience in immigration law required, including preparation and filing of business visas (H-1B, L, E),
petitions and permanent residency applications. Strong computer, communication and writing skills are required, including proficiency with Windows, Word, Excel and Outlook software and the ability to perform Internet research and use Lexis or Westlaw. Qualified applicants, submit resume to: Melanie Smith: msmith@hodgsonruss.com.

PERM Services
Adnet Advertising Agency Inc. has provided labor certification advertising services to immigration attorneys since 1992. Adnet helps attorneys find appropriate places to run labor cert ads, places the ads, obtains the tearsheets, and offers a variety of billing options. Attorneys can manage the entire ad process through Adnet's secure web-based Ad-managment system. Most of Adnet's services are free since we receive a commission from the newspapers and journals where the ad is placed. Adnet services large international law firms as well as solo practice attorneys. Call us at 212-587-3164, visit www.adnet-nyc.com, or email us at
information@adnet-nyc.com. Contact us today to find out why we are the ad agency of choice for immigration attorneys since 1992.

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Readers are welcome to share their comments, email: editor@ilw.com (300-words or fewer preferred). Many letters to the Editor refer to past correspondence, available in our archives.

Dear Editor:
Thank you for covering the evangelical CIR movement (ID 05/09/07) We've been working on this mobilization since 2005. It's fantastic, they have received excellent coverage from yesterday's press conference. Please promote Immigrant's List on Immigration Daily. Their membership is an inclusive list of immigration attorneys. You may assume many of them receive your periodical. Their action alert software program is superb, it has the ability to target by zip code enabling to write to critical rather than friendly votes. In the coming days, the mobilization for the organizing of Townhall Meetings across the country will be taking place. We have a long road ahead of us, best wishes in your continued excellent communication publication.

Ben Lubbon, Managing Partner, Jude Benedict & Associates

Dear Editor:
It remains to be seen whether the pro-immigration evangelicals or the
anti-immigration white supremacists will win the battle for the soul of
the Republican party in the controversy over CIR (ID 050/09/07). Since many Latino
immigrants are also involved with the evangelical movement, as well as
its Catholic counterpart, the Charismatics, the divide between pro and
anti-immigrant forces is not necessarily as much a matter of religion as
it is a matter of ethnicity. Just as the old saying goes that all
political issues are local, it can be said that, in immigration, all
political issues are racial.

Semakweli

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